Time Saver

A guide to exercise equipment used at home or gym; we look at the best, the cheapest and discounted equipment such as treadmills and abdominal machines.

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An online guide to exercise equipment - at home or the gym?

Exercise equipment has become an integral part of everyday life because they fit very neatly into the people's busy schedules and into their homes. One of the biggest advantages of exercise equipment is that you can get an intense workout without ever having to set foot outside. Another advantage is that fitness equipment can be used for a huge variety of purposes from rehabilitation and health to intense and targeted workouts for specific fitness goals.

Many people find that going to a gym or fitness center is the best way to encourage a sustained exercise regime because you are surrounded by like minded people with similar goals. This means gyms can be very social places that provide plenty of opportunities for meeting new people. Having professional trainers on hand any time you need advice on how to use the exercise equipment, changing your fitness goals or simply to assess your progress is also a major plus for gyms.

The two biggest issues people have with gyms that they are expensive and quite time consuming. Most people need an average of one and a half hours to get there, get a good workout and then either get back to work or get home in time for dinner. This plus the annual subscription fees can put people off going as regularly as they should be.

The solution to these problems is home exercise equipment. A treadmill or exercise bike has been a common sight in many homes for years; the problem is that they are used more often for clothes than for exercise. People buy home exercise equipment because working out at home is more convenient, quicker and cheaper than going to a gym. The biggest mistake most of these people make is that they neglect to address the issue of enjoyment.

It seems the phrase 'no pain, no gain' has been slightly misunderstood. It's supposed to refer to the slight tinge of pain or stiffness you get from an invigorating workout; not the pain of having to do an exercise that you hate so much you'd rather be doing the housework. It is important to buy home exercise equipment you know you'll use regularly and to ensure you use it regularly, you have to enjoy it to some degree. For example, a person who hates running should rather buy an elliptical trainer or an exercise bike than a treadmill.

Finding exercise equipment that you will enjoy using is just the first step. Once you have decided what you want you will need to establish your budget and then figure where you are going to put it. There are a number of choices for those on a budget and doing a bit of comparative shopping, both online and in stores, is the best way to find a good piece of equipment for a reasonable price. Alternative exercise equipment can provide solutions for those on a tight budget or find they have little space in their homes for larger equipment. Check out the portable and cheap exercise equipment pages for more information.